Tuna salad just got a spicy upgrade! This Spicy Buffalo Tuna Salad is creamy, bold, and packed with protein. It’s perfect for a quick lunch, easy meal prep, or even a snack. It’s got just the right amount of heat, a little tang, and plenty of flavor, all in one simple dish. Scoop it onto crackers, pile it into a sandwich, or wrap it in crisp lettuce for an easy, no-fuss meal that comes together in minutes!
After years of testing different ways to make tuna salad actually exciting, I finally landed on the perfect balance of flavor and heat. This Spicy Buffalo Tuna Salad takes a familiar classic and gives it a bold, tangy twist. No bland tuna here! The buffalo sauce adds just enough spice, while the creamy dressing keeps it from being too spicy.
If you love buffalo chicken dip, this is basically the lighter, tuna-based version. The same creamy, zesty flavors but packed with protein and ready in minutes. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or just need a quick, no-fuss lunch, this recipe is about to become your new favorite way to enjoy tuna!
Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Tuna Salad Recipe
You’re gonna love this easy tuna salad recipe. Here’s why:
- Big, bold flavor: If you love buffalo sauce, this tuna salad is about to become a new favorite. It’s got that perfect balance of tangy, spicy, and creamy, all in one easy dish.
- Packed with protein: With about 34 grams of protein per serving, this buffalo tuna salad keeps you full and satisfied, making it a great high-protein meal prep option.
- Quick & easy: No complicated steps, no long prep time. Just mix everything together, and it’s ready in minutes. It’s perfect for a fast lunch or snack when you need something that tastes great without the fuss.
- Made with simple ingredients: Everything in this recipe is easy to find and probably already in your kitchen. No fancy ingredients.
Ingredients for buffalo style tuna
Here’s what you will need to make your own Buffalo Tuna Salad:
- Tuna – Use canned tuna in water for the best texture. Drain it well so your salad itsn’t watery. I usually grab albacore tuna.
- Mayonnaise – I love using Duke’s mayo for the flavor, but Greek yogurt works as a substitute if you want some extra protein. The mayo keeps everything creamy and balanced.
- Buffalo sauce – Frank’s Red Hot is classic for all things buffalo, but your favorite hot sauce works too! Feel free to adjust the amount based on how spicy you like it.
- Ranch dressing – Buy store-bought or make your own! This helps add a cool and creamy contrast to the heat from the buffalo sauce.
- Garlic powder – It’s always great to make sure that your spices aren’t expired. An easy way to check is the sniff test. If it doesn’t have a strong smell anymore, it’s time to toss them and buy new.
- Salt and pepper – Grab the kosher or sea salt along with some ground black pepper for this. They’re simple, but essential!
Canned tuna comes in chunky and solid textures. The very small pieces of chunk-style tuna are great for a creamy tuna salad, whereas the bigger pieces of the solid canned tuna work better for adding to things like pasta salad.
How to Make Buffalo Tuna Salad
This couldn’t be easier! It really is just mixing it up together. Here’s how:
- Drain the tuna well. This is key to avoiding a watery salad. Press out as much liquid as possible.
- Mix it up. In a bowl, stir together the tuna, mayo, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and garlic powder until everything is evenly combined.
- Taste & adjust. Add salt and pepper to taste, plus a little extra buffalo sauce if you love the heat!
- Serve & enjoy! Scoop it onto crackers, stuff it into a sandwich, wrap it in lettuce, or eat it straight from the bowl.
kitchen tools to make spicy tuna salad with buffalo sauce
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → How to Store Buffalo Tuna
Store Buffalo Tuna Salad in a food-safe, airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for about 3 days, which makes it great for meal-prepping on a Sunday for the week ahead. You’ll just want to give it a good stir before eating.
Do not freeze. Mayo-based tuna salads don’t freeze well. They tend to separate and get watery when thawed.
Meal Prep Tip: Make a double batch and store it in individual containers for grab-and-go lunches during the week. Eat it with lettuce wraps, crackers, or bread.
Tips for the Best Buffalo Tuna Salad
Drain the tuna well – This makes all the difference! Press out as much liquid as possible so your salad isn’t watery.
Use your favorite buffalo sauce & ranch – The flavors really stand out here, so go with brands you love. If you like extra heat, add a splash more buffalo sauce!
Customize the texture – Want it extra creamy? Add a little more mayo or ranch. Prefer it chunky? Mash the tuna less when mixing.
Make it your own – Try adding diced celery, chopped pickles, or a squeeze of fresh lemon for extra crunch and flavor.
Meal prep tip – This keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make a batch on Sunday for quick, protein-packed lunches during the week.
Experiment with spice – Try a variety of hot sauce. Cholula is a great option!
What to serve with tuna salad
No need to overthink it. This tuna salad works however you like! Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy it:
Buffalo tuna dip: If you love buffalo chicken dip and tuna salad, this is the tuna version you didn’t know you needed. Eat it cold with crackers, chips, or celery, or bake it for a warm, cheesy dip.
Spicy tuna salad: You can keep it light and fresh by serving it over lettuce with extra celery for crunch.
Tuna salad lettuce wrap: Use butter lettuce leaves to make lettuce wraps for lunch or dinner.
Buffalo tuna sandwich: Pile it up onto toasted bread, a bagel, or a soft bun for an easy lunch.
Spicy tuna salad wrap: Roll it up in a tortilla with shredded lettuce for an easy grab-and-go meal.
Spicy buffalo tuna melt: If you want comfort food, pile it up on bread, add cheese and tomato, then grill it like a buffalo style grilled cheese. It’s so good.
Stuffed celery: Need a quick snack? Fill celery sticks with the spicy tuna to get a cool touch to offset the spicy kick.
FAQ for spicy tuna salad
When stored properly in the refrigerator, tuna salad is best eaten within 3-4 days.
Tuna salad works best with canned white tuna. The “chunk” style cans of tuna yield a creamier version. Popular brands are Bumble Bee, Starkist, and Chicken of the Sea.
Buffalo sauce definitely has a kick, but the heat level depends on the brand! If you prefer mild heat, try Sweet Baby Ray’s or Primal Kitchen. For something spicier, Frank’s RedHot or Texas Pete work well. You can also adjust the spice by adding more ranch or mayo to mellow it out.
Yes, but drain it well! Tuna in oil tends to be richer and softer, so the texture may be slightly different than tuna packed in water.
More Deli Style Salad Recipes
If you make this recipe and love it, we would love a 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! It helps us continue to provide free recipes.
Share on Facebook
Share
Buffalo Tuna Dip
Equipment
Ingredients
- 10 ounces canned white tuna drained
- 2 tablespoons mayo
- 2 tablespoons buffalo wing sauce
- 1 tablespoon ranch dressing
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Drain the tuna well to remove excess liquid. This prevents the salad from becoming watery.
- In a bowl, mix together the tuna, mayo, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and garlic powder until fully combined.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Add extra buffalo sauce for more heat.
- Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. Enjoy it as a dip, in a sandwich, or in lettuce wraps!
Video
Notes
- Use the best tuna: White albacore tuna (especially from Sam’s Club, Bumble Bee, or Starkist) has a firmer texture and better flavor compared to chunk light tuna.
- Drain the tuna really well! This helps prevent a watery tuna salad. Press out as much liquid as possible before mixing.
- Buffalo sauce matters: Use your favorite buffalo wing sauce and ranch dressing. They make all the difference in flavor! Frank’s RedHot and Primal Kitchen are great options.
- Want a lighter version? Swap the mayo for Greek yogurt for a high-protein, lower-calorie alternative.
- Make it spicier or milder: Add more buffalo sauce or a pinch of cayenne for extra heat, or mix in extra ranch to tone it down.
- Meal prep tip: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. Give it a quick stir before serving!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
